Archive for June 2012

She doesn’t age, am I right? 🙂 However, Meryl Streep turns a year older today as she spends her 63rd year of existence. Meryl, Goddes Meryl, Queen Meryl, La Meryl or whatever you want to call her has been gracing our screens since the late 70s, and there’s no signs of stopping. Meryl has already received hundreds and hundreds of tributes already and has probably worked with majority of the most prominent actors and actresses we have today. She has already collected two BAFTAs, Emmys, SAGs, 8 Golden Globes, and just earlier this year, collected her 3rd Oscar. That and Best Actress turns in festivals such as Moscow, Cannes, and Berlin plus the Kenndey Center Honors. With that achievements, it can easily be concurred that Meryl Streep is one of the best (if not the best) actresses we have today.

And in celebration of her 63rd birthday, we’ll go visit memory lane and rank ten of Meryl’s best performances ever. She has already performed roles that of a mother, a singer, a nun, a cook, an author, a lonely housewife, the Prime Minister and even the boss from hell. Here, I think, are Meryl’s ten career best outputs:

10. JULIE & JULIA (2010)Role: French cooking legend Julia Child

Meryl Streep is probably known for her ability to change her accent and study the mannerisms especially when she’s portraying real life personalities. That is very much evident in her 2010 performance in Julie & Julia that gave her her 16th Oscar nomination. While she managed to do a copy of the real Julia Child, what’s more fascinating beyond the accents and the performance is that she managed to incorporate the charisma of the famous French woman. I still stick by, up to this date, that this should have given her an easy 3rd Oscar win than Sandra Bullock’s The Blind Side.

09. IT’S COMPLICATED (2010)
Role: divorced woman Jane

In the other 2010 Meryl Streep film where she’s not playing a chef, we see the more laid back and fun Meryl that highlighted her more sassy and playful side. In It’s Complicated, Meryl played a divorced woman who rekindled what’s left with her then husband who’s unfortunately married again. Streep was stripped off her usual big on screen transformations and Nancy Meyers’s showed more of ehr leading lady persona that was missed for a long time already.

08. KRAMER VS. KRAMER (1979) Role: Joanna Kramer, a mother who wants her son back

In her first Oscar winning role, Meryl Streep won a Supporting Actress trophy for her role in the film Kramer vs. Kramer. She played Dustin Hoffman’s wife who’s battling with him to have the custody of their child. This is one of Meryl’s earlier film works and what I love the most about this is that you can already see a plethora of potential for her to excel more. Of course, the trial scene was what stood out for most in the movie in terms of Meryl’s performance and she sure did deliver.

07. ADAPTATION (2002)Role: The Orchid Thief author Susan Orlean

2002 was good year for Meryl Streep, as she starred in two of the year’s most acclaimed films. Her first one was in the Oscar Best Picture nominee The Hours, as modern day Clarissa Vaughn who befriends Ed Harris’ AIDS stricken character. The other was in her Oscar nominated performance as author Susan Orlean in Spike Jonze’s comedy Adaptation. Here’s another film that showed the fun side of Meryl, and it was pretty much evident throughout the film. After her enthusiastic and memorable Golden Globe speech when she won that year (“It’s been the Pleistocene era since I won anything!”), all the buzz regarding her third Oscar campaign started.

The Devil Wears Prada was supposed to be an Anne Hathaway vehicle where in we should all be rooting for her to finally get back and shut her boss off. However, it turned to be the other way around as we were so enamored with Miranda Priestly’s tactics that we wanted to extend more how she humiliate and lambast Andrea. Thanks to Meryl Streep’s devilish delicious performance of Miranda Priestly. The moment she appeared in the film, you know you’re not seeing Meryl but every inch of Miranda’s evil ways. This movie also opened Meryl to a whole lot of new fans especially with the younger generation. That’s all.

05. SILKWOOD (1983)
Role: tragic heroine Karen Silkwood

Following the footsteps of her Oscar winning performance in Sophie’s Choice, Meryl played Karen Silkwood who discovered the expose regarding the contaminated plant where she was working. This, in turn, turned her life upside down as she was framed up to be the carrier of the said contamination. By this time in her career, it is pretty much evident that when you followed up Sophie’s Choice with another acclaimed performance, you’re in for the long run, and that was what sealed the deal for Meryl via her Silkwood performance.

04. SOPHIE’S CHOICE (1982)
Role: confused mother Sophie who was asked the most difficult question a mother could have ever been asked for

Meryl checked in all the right places with this performance of hers. Accent? Check. Speaking another language? Check. Tragedy? Check. This contains all the right ingredients for an award winning role, and while that might have made it easier for any actress to fulfill the role, Meryl raised the bar so high with this performance that many are calling it one of the best performances in the history of film. The thing with Sophie’s Choice though is that with Meryl’s very tough job with what she’s done, all of her next performances have been compared with the difficulties she set in this one, and while that is undeserved, that’s the price she has to pay for turning it one heck of a bravura performance in this Oscar winning role.

03. ANGELS IN AMERICA (2004)
Role: various roles

Mike Nichols 2004 comeback was a Tony Kushner playwright that involved certain individuals being interconnected with each other in the midst of the crisis re:AIDS in the 80s. This project is probably one of the most memorable ones because of the star studded people involved: Mike Nichols directing, Tony Kushner writing, Al Pacino, Emma Thompson, Mary Louise Parker, Jeffrey Wright, Justin Kirk, Patrick Wilson, Ben Shenkman, and of course, Meryl Streep starring in it. Meryl played both man and woman in this provoking masterpiece that garnered 11 Emmys, 5 Golden Globes, and 2 Screen Actors Guild awards among others.

Any film fan knows that a collaboration between Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep is definitely necessary; thus, it was very rewarding to see the both of them headline Eastwood’s 1995 love story The Bridges of Madison County. Streep’s Francesca Johnson is a lonely housewife who cherished the four days of her life when she met photographer Robert Kincaid. Based on the novel of the same title, you can clearly imagine Streep playing the title role while reading the novel, and how she managed to translate all of the emotions there in the film. Plus points given to her quiet yet very effective breakdown scene at the near end of the movie.

01. A CRY IN THE DARK (1988)
Role: Lindy Chamberlain, a mother coping up with the loss of her baby while being accused of committing the crime

And the best Meryl Streep performance, in my opinion, is the one she gave in her 1988 film A Cry in the Dark. Based on real events, Meryl play a stressed mother who lost her baby after a visit in the Ayers Rock and was subjected to a public scrutiny of being involved in the case of the missing baby. Meryl was at her best here, with the raw emotions that she greatly displayed throughout the film. Her Lindy Chamberlain was fierce in the eye of those accused them, yet at the same time was vulnerable enough to mourn over the turn of events. How Meryl enveloped all of these emotions in a single film makes this performance her best for me, and I’m pretty sure that Cannes agrees with me as she was rewarded with the Best Actress that festival year.

There you have it folks! What do you think is missing in this list? And what is your favorite Meryl performance? Plus, do you think she can win a 4th Oscar in her career? Pipe them in at the Comments section below! 🙂

The concept of who is the best for a particular field is a very subjective one. Each taste differs from another one. The current lead acting winners at the Gawad Urian last week gave me a thought that we are slowly shifting to younger actors to handle lead roles in both mainstream and independent films. With that, I came up with a list of the best young actors of the current generation. The main and single criteria that I used here is that the actors need to be under the age of 35 and below. Their filmographies, performances, and other relevant factors were considered as well. However, like what I mentioned, each opinion is subjective, so I’m sharing this with you and you can agree with me or take it with a grain of salt.

First, here are names that were close but failed to make the cut: Wendell Ramos, Vhong Navarro, Ketchup Eusebio, and Paulo Avelino.

Zanjoe Marudo is probably one of the underrated contemporary actors we have. While he is usually relegated to supporting roles and leading man roles, he simply makes the best out of what’s given to him. It also does not hurt that he’s one of the actors that works well in the comedy genre while not totally being ignorant in dramatic roles. As a matter of fact, he has starred in straight comedies (Kimmy Dora), straight dramas (Sa’yo Lamang), straight thrillers (Altar), as well as rom-coms (You Got Me), and horror-comedy (Cinco episode: Puso). It seems that his handler aims for a pretty much versatile résumé.

15. JOEM BASCON
Age: 25
Notable Performances: Noy, Ka Oryang, Batanes

Started out in the business as part of the teenage show Let’s Go, Joem Bascon was first launched as simply a Piolo Pascual look a-like. Years later, he emerged as one of the go to young character actors with his hunky looks and strong features as add-ons to his undeniable talent. He also went on to win a Supporting Actor Urian in 2010 for his performance as a wheelchaired drug dealer in the politically themed movie Noy. While Joem’s current projects is the ABSCBN drama Walang Hanggan, he still takes indie movie roles every now and then such as his recent turn in Ka Oryang.

Sam Milby, who was once a housemate in the country’s biggest reality show, turned out to be one of the best actors of his generation. Whether it’s his work as the lovable chubby guy Macky in My Big Love or an academe member in Babe I Love You, Sam has this certain movie star charisma that is difficult to resist. Beyond that though is the depth in his recent performances that require more emotional tugs such as the son who experiences a life changing realization in Third World Happy or his serious competitive businessman in Forever and a Day, It is very easy to predict that there’s still a long way ahead waiting for Milby’s star to shine even brighter.

At a very young age, Jiro Manio has already given some of the finest performances in recent Philippine cinema. His turn as the lovable child Magnifico won raves not only here in the country but in other parts of the world as well. Before that, he used to sweep Child Acting categories for his performances in other movies such as Bagong Buwan, Mila, and La Vida Rosa. While his succeeding movies ranged from excellent (Foster Child), to good (Tanging Ina) to bad (Bahay Kubo) to unfathomable (Manay Po series), his capabilities as an actor will never ever be denied.

12. JASON ABALOS
Age: 27Notable Performances: Endo, Thelma, Adela

For his age, Jason Abalos seems to exude this level of confidence and maturity of men older than him. That was most evident in his Urian winning performance “Endo” when partnered with more mature actress Ina Feleo. He also got a chance to be paired with the country’s top young actress Judy Ann Santos in a TV anthology. While Jason is very much active in his television career (he never runs out of series whether it’s in daytime or primetime), it will be better to see Jason Abalos do movies and take the center stage once again.

Marvin Agustin was once a member of the elite club of loveteams in Philippine entertainment in the late 90s. His early works were usually pairings with loveteam Jolina Magdangal. However, the decade 2000 showed the best of Marvin Agustin when he started to move on to projects that tend to result to critical and commercial acclaim such as “Tanging Yaman” and “Trip”. And even before Dingdong Dantes showed the psychopath role in Segunda Mano last year, Marvin already did the same performance in Jose Javier Reyes’ Kutob in 2005. While he veered away from leading man materials in films, Marvin still stars in notable ones such as his nominated performance in last year’s indie film “Patikul.”

While he was never introduced as a matinee or teenage idol, Yul Servo has made a name for himself via Lav Diaz’s Batang Westside in 2001. This 33 year old Moreno chinito actor has then made his mark in the industry when he starred in Maryo J delos Reyes’s Laman in 2002 and Albert Martinez’s Rosario last year. He also played the leading man of the one and only Superstar Nora Aunor in Naglalayag which gave him lots of nominations during that year’s awards season. Servo has acted and starred with the likes of Joel Torre, Nora Aunor, Jaclyn Jose, Albert Martinez, and Elizabeth Oropesa in his decade long career, and if that’s not impressive, then I don’t know what is.

Dennis Trillo gave one of the most memorable breakthrough performances in Philippine movie history when he starred as a cross-dressing man to whom a high Japanese officer fell in love with in the middle of war. This performance gave Trillo two Star Awards, a Luna, and a FAMAS. His next performances such as the gradpa’s son in Blue Moon, the syndicate leader in Mano Po 6, and the gym instructor torn between a mother and her daughter in Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow merited awards consideration as well.

One of the most successful Ang TV alumnus, Paolo Contis managed to smoothly translate his career from sidekicks and ensemble members to actual stars and lead actors of the films he starred in. While he currently works as a co-host of GMA’s Manny Manny Prizes, his film performances such as the gay son in Noon at Ngayon and his Star Awards Best Actor winning performance in Banal were some of the reasons why Contis is ahead to some of his contemporaries in terms of achievements.

Baron Geisler’s personal issues usually meddle with people’s perception of him as a celebrity but never when it comes to his works. As an actor, Geisler is one of the most versatile out there. As for starters, he played Vilma Santos’ goody two shoes in Anak that gave him several awards nominations. Next, he made an impact as the gay survivor who was almost killed in the ensemble driven film Jologs. While most of his succeeding performances were villainous turns in Nandito Ako Nagmamahal Sa’yo, Baler, and Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story, his most compelling performance to date was when he play the title role of the gay report Jay in 2009.

Carlo Aquino shared the screen with veterans such as Vilma Santos, Albert Martinez, Ricky Davao, and Jaclyn Jose. It’s difficult to make level yourself up with them but Carlo does it with so much ease that he even gets nominations and trophies even at a young age. When he got older, he suffered some career lie low due to the awkward transition of every celebrity child star to adulthood. However, that did not stop him from giving bravura performances one after the other may it be in leading roles such as Sa Aking Pagkagising sa Kamulatan in 2005 and Torotot in 2008 or supporting turns such as Baler and Tanging Ina franchise.

Probably the most famous eligible bachelor in the local entertainment industry, Piolo Pascual is by no means just a guy with good looks. Time and again, he has already proven that he is an all around guy that made waves whether it is in recording, television, and now, producing industry as well. But of course, when we mention Piolo Pascual the actor, his effective and intense performances in his films such as his FAMAS winning stint in Milan, Star Awards winning performances in Don’t Give Up On Us and Paano Kita Iibigin are some of what folks will remember. Awards aficionados though will always remember how Piolo Pascual was the last person who achieved grandslam status by winning all major supporting actor awards from the MMFF, PMPC, FAP, FAMAS, and Urian for his turn as son Jules Bartolome in Star Cinema’s Dekada 70.

From one Hunk to another, Jericho Rosales has really come a long way from his Mr. Pogi days. This former fish vendor achieved so many from being a primetime royalty to a member of The Hunks to recording artist and to an award winning actor. While most criticisms re: Echo always root from his English accent, no one can deny his approach to move roles given to him. His supporting performances in Tanging Yaman, Bagong Buwan, Noon at Ngayon up to his lead ones such as Baler, Pacquiao: the Movie, and Santa Santita are living proofs of his effectiveness as one of the best actors of his generation.

03. COCO MARTIN
Age: 30Notable Performances: Serbis, Kinatay, Noy

Dubbed as the Prince of Philippine Indie Movies, Coco martin must feel a lot of pressure in his shoulders to be named as such. However, that cool and effortless demeanor he exudes when he portrays his roles is a big testament on why he is achieving success both in mainstream and independent industry. That characteristic is most prevalent in his performances wherein he was a masseur (Masahista), a conflicted young husband (Kinatay), and a desperate reporter (Noy). Lately, Coco is busy fulfilling his television star status, but I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one waiting for his next big screen output.

02. SID LUCERO
Age: 31Notable Performances: Selda, Independecia, Muli

Given that he is the son of one of the country’s best actors, it is easy to figure out that 31 year old actor Sid Lucero will really do well in this field. But while we are expecting good stuff from him, we’re still surprised to find out that not only did he bring the good stuff, he even brought the great stuff in his performances. With Sid, what you see is not necessarily what you get. Behind his machismo overload demeanor comes a vulnerable and effective portrayal of different types of people such as his performances in the movies Selda, Donsol, and Muli. Sid is also one of the only six actors (and the youngest at that) to receive multiple Best Actor awards at the Gawad Urian Awards. Yes, you can close your mouth now.

Finally, the one I consider as the best actor, in my opinion, of his generation, John Lloyd Cruz is one of the best risk takers among his contemporaries. He started out showing potential already when he won Best Actor at the 2000 Star Awards for TV beating the likes of Eddie Garcia and Richard Gomez. His movie star status started out doing love teams one after the other, but it wasn’t until his performance of Popoy in 2006 cult classic One More Chance that relegated him into the most charismatic actor in recent years. Whether it’s with Bea Alonzo, Sarah Geronimo, Toni Gonzaga, and Angel Locsin, all of John Lloyd’s movies never fail to hit stride with the watchers. Oh, and he is always at the top of his acting game. Have I mentioned the big slap he gave Vilma Santos after shouting at her face? That’s some pretty big balls out there, and John Lloyd always I’m sure is the country’s best among his peers.

There you have it. Who do you think was left out? Did you agree with my John Lloyd pick? Are you looking for Rainier Castillo? Pipe them in at the Comments section. 🙂

Adam Shankman’s next foray into the musical genre is a revival of the famous 2006 musical of the same title. Rock of Ages is set during the rock and roll era of the late 80s and features songs popularized by Journey, Bon Jovi, Poison, Steve Perry, and other rock and roll legends.

It was 1987 when we witnessed young country girl Sherrie Christian (Julianne Hough) travel to Los Angeles to follow her dreams. There, she met barback Drew Boley (Diego Bonneta) who helped her land a job at Dennis Dupree’s (Alec Baldwin) bar. Meanwhile, Drew’s idol Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise) gets to perform at The Bourbon’s bar while conservative Patricia Whitmore (Catherine Zeta Jones) protests against Stacey’s performance. This interconnected story added with more additional story lines and glitz and glamour numbers comprise the whole film.

Adam Shankman films usually does not require any thinking at all. It is not necessary to bring your brains when you enter the cinema. This works in his favor though, as he tends to focus more on the glitz and the glamour and the big throw away scene in his films (see: Hairspray). Rock of Ages follows the same path as the above, but this benefits more because of the music that they incorporated in the film. It is very difficult to hate on the film once More Than Words, We Built This City, or Every Rose Has Its Thorn play on the background. With that said, I won’t totally give it a free pass. There are times when it tends to fall into Glee territory especially with the overload of Julianne Hough-Diego Boneta love angle.

The ensemble is very entertaining though. There are too many scene stealers in the film, and I like that everyone has their own moment. The chemistry between Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand seems to be the crowd favorite, and you can see how much they’re enjoying their roles. That says a lot especially since I’m no fan of anything that Russell Brand has ever done. Another favorite is Catherine Zeta Jones who was wacky and over the top which is is a guarantee that it will work since Adam Shankman is helming it. May J. Blige is certified eksenadora in any way you look at it. Whether it’s her outfits, her singing, and her delivery, she seems to want to own all the scenes she is in. Tom Cruise’s Stacey Jaxx is probably the most awaited character in the movie, and Cruise (Scientology jokes aside) is at his best when he gets to enjoy the roles given to him (i.e Tropic Thunder). Diego Boneta was charming enough as the wanna be rocker who ended up in a road that he never imagined. The weakest link is Julianne Hough who I can’t figure but seems to be trying too hard and lacks the natural appeal of the female lead. In the words of Legally Blonde, “she seems to be too blonde” for the role.

Rock of Ages is in no way life changing or Oscar level. The biggest factor that works in its benefit is the fact that it is highly entertaining, and that (together with the music) gives more than enough satisfaction for the readers to enjoy the film.

Three years after the first Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme movie, we finally get another glimpse on the posh and outlandish life of twins Kimmy and Dora Go Dong Hae via director Joyce Bernal’s sequel Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme.

In this sequel, the Go Dong Haes have been living a successful albeit controversial life. Kimmy now owns an airline company and a hospital among other things, and things are going great for her and her farmer boyfriend Barry from the province. Dora, on the other hand, gets to take bigger responsibilities as well such as being the designer to her sister’s events and her relationship with Johnson on a good turn as well. Tables turned when a historic family secret involving their father’s past was revealed.

The story includes elements of horror and comedy which at times, tends to work well while on some parts falls flat. The last part of the movie even included some action scenes in it which makes the movie more over the top than ever. The script was consistent though; it gave some references to the first movie while being consistent with the transition to this second film. I also figured out how they knew what the firs movie’s strengths were and worked on its advantage on this second one. The technical aspects of the film were outstanding; the sound was polished while the costumes were very interesting and supports the character build up of both Kimmy and Dora. What I love the most though is the production design of the film; they knew how to make use of both constructed sets and work on built ones. Whether it’s the scenes from Korea, the Go Dong Hae household, the airplane, or the museum, it all built a mark on the viewer’s impression.

While the technical aspects of the film helped the overall outcome of the movie, it cannot be denied that the primary strength is indeed with the acting. Eugene Domingo is still as effective as ever when playing Kimmy and Dora Go Dong Hae. She already knew the perfect treatment to the two characters well enough that the shift from Kimmy to Dora and vice versa was impeccable, and I see no one touching her in that aspect. With that said, the supporting characters were not merely supporting players as they held their own in the movie. I specifically noticed how Ariel Ureta enjoyed doing his character so much that his chemistry with Domingo (as his daughters) is palpable enough that he did not look stiff and instead went with the flow of the movie. The same can be said about Miriam Quiambao’s Gertrude (who was effortlessly funny) and Moi’s Yaya Elena (who cracks you up with her delivery). Then, there’s Mura who was as ridiculous as one can get and a definite scene-stealer from the moment that she appeared. And of course, when looking at the credits, there’s a bazillion miss or you’ll blink it cameo appearances that I’ll even search some of them when I re-watch the film again.

Overall, while this was highly entertaining on its own, this falls into the usual clump of originals being better than the sequel. Had the movie focused on the comedic aspect, I think it could have come up with an overall better film. Nevertheless, it was a worthy and enjoyable follow up.

The last day of the eligibility season for the Primetime Emmy Awards ended two days ago, so it is just fitting that we start the month by coming up with a prediction list of who will be considered as the cream of the crop for television season 2011-2012. The past few weeks have been nothing but controversial decision announcement from ATAS one after the other, but before we totally divulge into that, let’s go back to the main purpose of this blog post. Here are my predicted nominees for this month: